What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage in 2026? (FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional)
Your credit score is like your financial GPA, and mortgage lenders definitely check the report card. Here is what score each loan type really needs in 2026, and how to raise yours.
- FHA: 580 or higher for the 3.5% minimum down payment; 500 to 579 requires 10% down.
- Conventional: Fannie Mae’s automated system dropped its hard 620 floor in November 2025, but lenders can still set their own minimums.
- VA: the VA does not set a minimum score; lenders do.
- USDA: no program minimum; lenders may set one, and your score affects how much paperwork you need.
- The real point: qualifying is step one. A higher score usually gets you a better rate and cheaper mortgage insurance.
Your credit score is basically your financial GPA. A mortgage lender looks at it to guess how likely you are to pay on time. The good news: you do not need a perfect score to buy a home. The better news: a few points can make a real difference in what you pay.
Here is the 2026 rundown, in plain English.
Minimum credit scores by loan type
| Loan type | Credit score rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FHA | 580+ for 3.5% down; 500 to 579 with 10% down | Set by HUD; lenders may require higher |
| Conventional | No hard 620 floor in Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter since Nov. 2025 | Lenders can set minimums; pricing still follows your score |
| VA | No VA-set minimum | Lenders set their own requirements |
| USDA | No program minimum | Lenders may set one; scores affect automated approval in GUS |
Lender requirements on top of program rules are sometimes called “overlays.” That is why two lenders can give you different answers for the same loan type. If one says no, it can be worth asking another.
Which score do lenders use?
You do not have one credit score. You have many, from different bureaus and scoring models. For mortgages, lenders typically pull reports from the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
For loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, FHFA now lets lenders use either Classic FICO or VantageScore 4.0, as long as they use the same model for every borrower on a loan. When there are several scores, lenders commonly use the middle one. So the score in your banking app may not match what the lender sees.
Why your score changes what you pay
Your score affects more than a yes or no:
- Interest rate: lower scores generally mean higher rates or extra pricing adjustments.
- Mortgage insurance: on conventional loans, PMI costs usually rise as scores fall. Our PMI guide explains how it works.
- Down payment options: for FHA, the score decides whether you can put 3.5% down or need 10%.
Two buyers each borrow $300,000 on a 30-year fixed loan. Suppose the buyer with the lower score gets a rate a hypothetical half a point higher.
- At 6.5%, principal and interest are about $1,896 a month.
- At 7.0%, they are about $1,996 a month.
- That is roughly $100 more a month, or about $35,900 over 30 years if neither refinances.
The rates are only for illustration. Actual pricing differences depend on the lender, loan and market.
See your own numbers with our mortgage calculator, then check your budget with the home affordability calculator.
What goes into your credit score
Scoring models differ, but they mostly look at the same things:
- Payment history: paying on time is the biggest factor.
- Amounts owed: especially how much of your credit card limits you use.
- Length of credit history: older accounts help.
- New credit: lots of recent applications can lower scores.
- Credit mix: a blend of cards and loans can help a little.
How to raise your score before applying
- Pull your reports and fix errors. The CFPB explains how to dispute mistakes with the credit bureaus. A wrong late payment is worth correcting.
- Pay down credit card balances. Lower balances compared with your limits can help quickly, sometimes within a billing cycle or two.
- Pay every bill on time. Set up autopay for at least the minimum.
- Hold off on new credit. Skip the store card discount at checkout.
- Keep old accounts open unless they cost you money.
Paying down debt also lowers your debt-to-income ratio, which lenders check separately. If you are also deciding between loan types, compare our guides to FHA loan requirements and VA loan requirements.
A simple 90-day credit game plan
If you are a few months away from house hunting, here is a low-drama plan you can actually stick to:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Pull all three credit reports, list every account and dispute anything that is wrong. Turn on autopay for every bill. |
| Month 2 | Throw extra cash at the credit card with the highest balance compared with its limit. Do not close old cards. |
| Month 3 | Re-check your reports, confirm disputes were resolved and avoid any new credit applications. Then start talking to lenders. |
None of this is glamorous, but boring and consistent beats clever every time when it comes to credit. Your future self, signing closing papers at a better rate, will thank you.
Shopping for a mortgage will not wreck your score
Rate shopping is smart, and scoring models know it. According to the CFPB, multiple mortgage credit checks within a short shopping window are generally counted as a single inquiry. The window is typically 14 to 45 days depending on the scoring model, so do your comparison shopping in a focused burst.
What if your score is low right now?
- Look at FHA, VA (if eligible) or USDA, which can be more flexible.
- Ask about manual underwriting, which looks harder at your whole picture.
- Consider waiting a few months while you pay down cards. The rate savings can be worth it.
- A larger down payment can help offset a lower score in some cases.
FAQ
Can I get a mortgage with a 580 credit score?
Possibly. FHA allows 3.5% down with a 580 or higher score, though some lenders set higher minimums.
Is 620 still the minimum for a conventional loan?
Fannie Mae removed the hard 620 floor from Desktop Underwriter in November 2025, but lenders may still require a minimum, and lower scores cost more.
Does checking my own credit lower my score?
No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score.
Which credit score matters if I apply with a partner?
Rules vary by loan type, but lenders often look at each borrower’s middle score and may use the lower of the two. Ask your lender how they handle joint applications.
How fast can I raise my credit score?
Paying down card balances can help within a month or two. Recovering from late payments takes longer. Start early if you can.
Keys & Coffee is an independent education site and is not a lender. Examples are for illustration only. Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (FHA credit score rules), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, USDA Rural Development, Fannie Mae Selling Guide, Federal Housing Finance Agency (credit score models), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (credit reports, disputes and rate shopping).
Keys & Coffee is an independent education site. We are not a lender or mortgage broker, we do not take loan applications or payments, and nothing here is financial advice. This site is not affiliated with Axia Home Loans, Axia Financial, LLC, or Planet Home Lending. Rates and rules change often — always confirm details with a licensed loan officer and check any lender on the NMLS Consumer Access site.
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